Seo-jin stepped out of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, disappointed by the outcome. Irritated. No. Annoyed by his continued avoidance. She exhaled slowly, trying to compose herself, her mind still reeling from the raw, unexpected edge in Hyun-woo’s voice. She was on the gently curving pathway, heading out into the open urban landscape. 

Do-yeon was already standing on the edge of the street, caught between the flow of pedestrian traffic and the steady stream of cars, unable to escape the pavement or Seo-jin. Just then, a blue SUV pulls up silently beside her. The passenger window lowered.

"Need a ride?" Soo-hyun’s voice was casual, unreadable, though a familiar glint lurked in his eyes.

Do-yeon hesitated, her gaze flicking instinctively toward Seo-jin, who was still walking toward her, seemingly unaware of the car, of Do-yeon, of anything but the tight knot in her own chest. Soo-hyun followed her gaze, his expression shifting as he saw Seo-jin in the distance. Not playful anymore. Sharper.

"Get in," he urged.

Do-yeon glanced at Seo-jin again, then back at him, a moment of calculation passing between them. Then she moved, slipping into the passenger seat just as Seo-jin reached the main street, her back to them. Seo-jin never saw her.

As the car pulled away from the curb, Soo-hyun smirked. "Tut tut. Miss Yoon. Spying is a serious crime!"

Do-yeon scoffed, adjusting her seatbelt. "I wasn’t spying. I was... hold on. What are you doing here?"

"Spying like you!" Soo-hyun grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "Now let's compare intel."

Seo-jin walked briskly down the sidewalk, the buzz of traffic and the chatter of passersby distant, a muted backdrop compared to the heavyweight in her chest. Her thoughts looped relentlessly back to Hyun-woo’s cutting words, to everything left unsaid, everything that had been said. The bitter taste of his accusation lingered.

She exhaled sharply, unlocked her phone, and dialled.

Do-yeon shifted in the passenger seat of Soo-hyun’s car, watching him as he drove, one hand lazily gripping the wheel, his composure irritatingly intact. The city scrolled past them outside the tinted windows.

"You look tense," he observed, not unkindly.

"You’re driving me to god-knows-where instead of letting me..." she began, exasperated, before her phone chimed loudly, vibrating in her hand. The screen flashed: Seo-jin.

"Well, that’s inconvenient," Soo-hyun remarked, amused, a low chuckle rumbling in his throat.

She shot him a glare before answering, instantly adjusting her tone to sound perfectly normal, as if she hadn't just been caught in a covert operation. "Hey."

"Are you free? I need to meet," Seo-jin’s voice came through, urgent in its tone and pace. Do-yeon hesitated. Soo-hyun raised an eyebrow, watching her reaction closely, enjoying the predicament.

"Uh... actually, I’m..." Do-yeon began, searching for an excuse.

"Busy spying," Soo-hyun murmured, low and teasing, a mischievous whisper that carried just enough to perhaps be heard. She shot him a fierce look, quickly covering the mic with her hand. "Shut up," she hissed.

Seo-jin’s voice came through clearer now, impatient, a stark contrast to Do-yeon’s whispered exchange. "Do-yeon?"

"Right, yeah. Let’s meet. Where?" Do-yeon recovered quickly, forcing a brighter tone. A pause. Soo-hyun tapped rhythmically against the steering wheel, clearly savouring every moment of her discomfort.

Do-yeon’s phone stayed pressed against her ear as she casually nodded along to Seo-jin’s words, her voice measured, her tone composed. "Uh-huh. No, sure. That makes sense."

Soo-hyun watched her from the corner of his eye, amusement flickering, a silent challenge in his gaze. "You really gonna pretend this whole ride?" he asked, his voice low, mocking.

She didn’t glance at him, didn’t react, just kept nodding along to whatever Seo-jin was saying on the other end of the line. "You know what?" Do-yeon said into the phone, aimed more at Soo-hyun than Seo-jin. "I’m finished here. I’m free now, actually."

Soo-hyun’s smirk deepened, clearly impressed by her audacity. "Wow. That’s subtle."

"Meet me at mine," Do-yeon said, her voice firm into the phone. "I’m on my way back now." She gestured vaguely toward the curb. Soo-hyun raised an eyebrow, but to her surprise, he pulled over instantly. She stepped out, grabbing her bag, just as Seo-jin’s voice, sharp and clear, carried through the phone, loud enough for Soo-hyun to hear through the open window. "I’ll see you in a few." Do-yeon shut the car door, offering Soo-hyun nothing, no thanks, no parting remark, just a final, defiant glare.

The car idled for half a second before Soo-hyun let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. He pulled away from the curb into traffic. He drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, the amusement still lingering, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he dialled. As he expected, the phone rang 7 times before it was answered.

"What," Hyun-woo’s voice was flat, already drained.

Soo-hyun grinned. "Where are you? How’d it go?"

"Busy," Hyun-woo replied, his voice apathetic.

"Oh, so fascinating," Soo-hyun drawled, leaning back against the headrest. "I see you’re thriving in post-hellfire diplomacy."

Silence. Hyun-woo did not humour him, not even a sigh.

"She walked out first, huh?" Soo-hyun prodded, pushing for a reaction. Nothing. Hyun-woo wasn’t engaging. At all. Soo-hyun shook his head. "You are NO fun today."

The line clicked. Hyun-woo hung up. Soo-hyun stared at the dead screen for a second, then let out a low laugh to himself. "Some things never change," he muttered.